Pages

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Red, Blue, Make-do and Mend (if you've a fancy to)

Red, Blue

Make-do and Mend

(if you’ve a fancy to)

The Lady-of-the-House confesses to keeping at least two ankle-length
jean skirts in her wardrobe. Fellow wearers of the jean skirt know how it
stands up to the rigors of house cleaning, endures frequent washings, even on
the hottest setting. One of her jean skirts is new. The other has had a long
life.

During the winter months she had only worn “the other” for stay-at-home.
The Man-of-the-House decided she had worn it out. It cannot be said how long he kept his opinion to himself but his patience finally came to a halt. It startled the
Lady-of-the-House. She was peacefully going about her business in the kitchen
wearing a pretty pink apron, whiping breakfast crumbs from the counter, when
he was frank with her. He said calmly but firmly, “I can’t stand seeing you in
that skirt.”

“Why?” she asked, with eyes wide and a voice as sweet as
pie, as if she were hurt and had no idea he could be so mean, all the while
knowing precisely what he was referring to.

“It’s ripped and shredded, that’s why.” After the truth was out he
reiterated, “I can’t stand seeing you in it.” This drove the point home. No
husband wants to see his wife in rags.

“I’ll mend it,” was his wife’s stubborn reply disguised as a bright
idea. She didn’t wish to part with the one dependable everyday skirt that fit
her perfectly. But she was half-confident she could mend it. Perhaps she was only forestalling the
inevitable.

“Hmm,” he answered unconvinced. He
sighed deeply and stepped into his office to start his workday. It was
unmistakably a sigh of exasperation. Without showing you the back of the skirt
in this post it will suffice to say that it was so vertically ripped at the
back and horizontally frayed at the hem that even when mended would never pass
for a 1930’s dignified simplicity - a standard respectful of both civility and economy.

A New Skirt (Sort of)

Mindful of her husband’s words (he was right) more drastic measures than
mending were necessary to save her skirt and give it a new lease on life. She
set about reconstruction. She dug into her tub of quilting cotton and found a
half-yard of a blue that might do. “I can cut the hem high up – just above the
nasty rip,” she ventured, “and with this cotton add a flounce for length.” This
she did with happy success. While she was cutting and ironing the fabric she
read its title: "Aged Elegance." As she fancied this description to be applicable to her project, it gave a lift to her work.

The moment of truth came when she put the skirt on. The
Lady-of-the-House opened the door of her husband’s office and interrupted his
concentration with a brief fashion show, twirling ‘round what little floor
space the room has to offer, humming a tune for accompaniment. The Man-of-the-House took off his reading glasses and said, “Where’d you get that?” It wasn’t the response she had hoped for. Experience told
her, however, that translated into the feminine it meant, “Oh, you’re wearing a
new skirt. It’s nice.”

“Do you like it?”

“Yes, I do.” She thought she spied one eyebrow go up and was
pleased.

“Oh goodie, because it’s the skirt you wanted me to throw away.” She
couldn’t resist the jab. A smidgen of playful banter in marriage keeps
communication open. He smiled and was duly and pleasantly impressed.

A New Purse (Sort of)

That same week the adult son of the Lady-of-the-House told her, “Mom,
don’t you think it’s time for a new purse.” She was surprised.

“Do I detect a theme going around the house? I’ll have you know this is
a Vera Bradley.”

“A Vera what?”

“Never mind.”

She had grown fond of her posh purse – a gift from her mother almost a
decade ago (who calls a purse a “pocket book” while others call it a handbag.)
The purse had seen continual wear and certainly had been around. For this
reason the Lady-of-the-House likes how washable these purses are. Yet hers was
in a sorry state.

“This red goes
with my red sandals – the only shoe-purse match I have in the house for the
upcoming season,” she realized. She fretted alone with her thoughts, knowing
her menfolk couldn’t possible sympathize to the degree she would find
satisfactory. Although she hadn’t been known in the past for living up to the
gentility of matching accessories, at least she might accomplish it now - with
the red purse.

“I’ll mend it,” she decided. Visiting the variety store in town, which
sells cotton remnants, she settled on a calico to cover the threadbare handles.
Patches will make-do for shopping. At
the grocery store and the farm stand no one will notice the tampered-with
handles that could mar Vera Bradley’s fine reputation – not in my little town,”
she consoled herself.

When her married daughter stopped by, the Lady-of-the-House pointed to
the red purse hanging on the corner cupboard. She asked her daughter what she
thought of it. Her daughter's face looked puzzled. "Isn’t that the same
purse you’ve always had?”

“No, it’s had surgery. I patched it up and gave it a new row of
quilting.”

“Really?” She gave it a second glance and said, “Oh, I see” with a
giggle, “I didn’t notice.”

The Lady-of-the-House should have been happy with this but she had to
admit that her home school graduate’s observation skills were a bit weak. On
the other hand, to receive approval for the funny but neatly mended handles –
from a female – was encouraging.

A New Book Bag (Sort of)

When a toddler the Lady-of-the-House (she has been told) had never clung
to a security blanket. Looking at the good half-yard of denim that was cut off
the bottom of her favorite jean skirt . . . well . . . she
felt like Charles M. Schulz’s Linus. “How can I recycle this lovely soft,
naturally aged fabric,” she wondered. “I know. I’ll make that book bag for
myself that I’ve been meaning to make. I can use the remainder of the calico
for the lining and add a bit of lace,” she daydreamed.

It was only when she finished the project that she realized the reason
for her mysterious attachment. It was nostalgia. The bag is made from the jean
skirt that she wore during her final years of home teaching.

This pile of snippets is all that is left of the red and blue make-do and mend. This, she can throw away.

Post Script

I hope these stories bring a quiet spot of gaiety into your day.

Going through google’s new “awaiting moderation” I find that I’ve
somehow missed some of your kind comments on back posts. I’m sorry. I wonder
how this could be. Both Dean, alias Man-of-the-House, and myself read them - he
often before I do. I welcome his protection. I welcome your comments, too.

In Between Posts

I’ve been writing articles for magazines. I was asked to be a columnist
for “The Old Schoolhouse” on line magazine to write about Miss Charlotte Mason’s
principles and am endeavoring to do so under the heading “Gentle Art of
Learning.” We had the family of Paul and Gena Suarez (editors) in our home for
a meal and found that we never ran out of things to talk about. I was also
asked to be a guest writer for “HomeEducating Family.” Editor Kathleen Warren
is a homeschool mom I met while living in Nashville twenty years ago. She was a
subscriber to my “Parents’ Review” in the 1990s.

Best Wishes,

(so says the ornate tea cup I purchased in the house of my
great great grandmother Emma Cook which is now an antique shop painted pink.)

28 comments:

What a refreshing post. Your skirt and purse make-overs are a great success.

Translating masculine language to feminine often requires calm thought, doesn't it. My husband rarely comments about clothing. In fact, I purchased a new blouse about a month ago, and had worn it two times before my husband said, "Hey, I like that. When did you get that?" I'm not much better myself. I think I would have been content to live in a world where one Sunday outfit and a couple of daily outfits would have been considered an adequate wardrobe.

We often joke that if we ever need to give a description to the police we'll have to check the closet and the laundry room to figure out what the missing one is wearing!

Your cup and saucer from your great-great grandmother's house is a delight. I like the way you've chosen to use it as well.

Karen, I meant to add that I am just finishing up my first school year with no home teaching. I'm finding things here and there that I don't wish to part with either. My children are away for college. I'm enjoying the "nest for two" that our home has become again, but I do miss the joys of home teaching. I'm glad that you will be carrying books in a bag made from fabric that houses such happy memories.

LOL - I enjoyed this post and can totally relate! I had a very soft, black leather purse that I carried for years, and the handles were frayed, along with parts of it being really worn. One day my husband said, "I think it's time for a new purse!" I was devastated ~ that purse was ME! It was hard to let go, but I found a replacement, which took a lot of getting use to.:-) I was told the same thing about a jumper too. :-)I love what you did with the skirt ~ so cute! And the purse and bag! Now you don't really have to "part" with them, only dress them up a little. :-)Blessings to you and have a great week!Anne♥P.S. - I loved the Parents Review.

You made me laugh - so funny. First, no need to apologize for wearing a denim skirt. They are practical and comfortable. I love how you mended and fixed and ended up with new (sort of). Just as exciting as new, and much wiser. Good to re-use still useful things. My family gets tired of some of my same-old-things, too, but I love them. Funny to think of some of those things as Linus security blankets, but I can think of several things of my own that are closely tied to memories and times of comfort and closeness, which would explain why I don't want to let them go. Good insights. Fun post- thanks.

Yes, i have to agree with Elizabeth. What a lovely post. I turn collars on my husbands work shirt ( I think you call them yard shirts) and I also darn socks. I get such a kick out of mending something and making it useful again. We certainly have become a throwaway society, haven't we. When i was working my boss returned from a holiday in the US with a Vera bag. That was about 12 years ago but I still remember that gorgeous bag. I looked through the catalogue she also brought home but alas our budget did not stretch to one of those lovely bags and our exchange rate then was not so good.I'm so pleased you were able to mend it and your skirt is very feminine. You've inspired me to do some mending this afternoon. There's always little mending jobs in my work basket, just never seem to get to the bottom of it.Blessings Gail

"It had surgery" made me smile! I can completely relate as I don't like it to have too many clothes. But I love the few I have and really have problems to part with them. (I still miss a green lambswool sweater my mother gave away about twenty years ago because it was too frayed and she was ashamed of me running about like that - sounds really strange and silly, but I am still looking for a similar one and cannot find it!) It's great of you to give new life to old things.As a lady commenting here noticed: I would also prefer to live in a time where you had one good dress and one ordinary with aprons for everyday. It would save so much time if I wouldn't have to think about what to wear.Have fine spring days to enjoy your new flattering skirt!

Vera Bradley is made in our town in Indiana. In April of every year, there is an outlet sale. Thirteen semi-trucks are needed to bring the merchandise in from the factory. Keep it in mind if you ever want to replace your bag!

I understand how you dont' wish to discard those things that hold such memories. Perhaps that is why I quilt--a lot of things find their way into my quilts. I love your bag!

Karen,I think you and I have the same denim skirt...LOL! I have a few more hanging in the closet--just love how comfortable they are. I also have that Vera bag---we have a Vera outlet not far from me and the prices are half of the stores! Each year daughter #2 gets me a new one for Mother's Day:-) I am quite spoiled with my Vera's, but love them so. Aren't your makeovers clever!Suzanne

This was thoroughly enjoyable Karen, it was very reminiscence of my own conversations with my man-of-the-house :-D

The mend and make do is a motto that should be applied in everything in life. But recycling old things that you have a great fondness for, is one of the best way to live simply and appreciate every blessing.

The skirt is fun and you wear it well...so is the jean bag - Vera Bradley and all :)

What friendly readers you are. It's delightful to hear from you and to share "the feminine" side of life - even if electronically.

I received a surprise in the mail recently that makes for a very different ending to the story. When my mother saw my red purse over Easter holiday she was quiet. "If you have nothing nice to say - say nothing at all," is one of her dictums. Opening the parcel I found a new Vera Bradley. It is the smallest purse I've ever carried. (It's contents are condensed). It is cute and yellow, with two pink roses on the side pocket. I took it out with Dean while wearing my yellow sweater and felt properly coordinated. Then it came back to me how my mother used to dress my baby sister in pink and me in yellow - unswervingly.

It is good to know that subscribers to Parents' Review are connecting once again. We go back some, don't we?

What a fine job you did with recycling and updating -- three projects! I do like the skirt, and as a jean skirt gal, I could feel your pain over giving up on an old favorite. I, too, have one that is growing more and more thread-bare, yet I just can't seem to give it up. I've kept it, like you, for housework and gardening; thankfully, my dear husband has not asked me to give it up (yet).

What a thoughtful mother you have, Karen. My mom notices things too. Now that my children are living on their own, I find that they need me to notice things as much as they did when they lived at here at home. It is so much fun to surprise them with unexpected extras.